Merchandising-car



(No Model.)

RQA. WILDBR. MERGHANDISING GAR. No. 480,308. Patented Aug. 9, 1892.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

RUFUS A. WILDER, OF CRESSONA, PENNSYLVANIA.

MERCHANDlSlNG-CAR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 480,308, dated August9, 1892.

Application filed April 9, 1892. Serial No. 428,485. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, RUEUs A. WILDER, a citizen of the United. States,residing at Cressona, in the county of Schuylkill and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSample Goods or Merchandise Oars and I do declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to theletters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of thisspecification.

My invention relates to improvements in freight-cars for transportingand exhibiting general merchandise samples and articles; and the objectis to provide a car adapted for the exhibition of goods, samples, andother articles of merchandise more conveniently and on a larger scalethan can be done under the usual and customary modes in vogue in thetrade. As the trade now effects sales by agent with samples, it isimpossible to carry goods in lots large enough to show the general goodeffect of goods in pieces of large dimensions. In my improved car theconveniences of drawers, shelves, living-apartments, and counters areprovided, and the goods may always be on hand in small or largequantities for display and examination.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinalsection through the car, showing the general arrangement of the shelves,the drawers, and the package-space under the drawers. Fig. 2 is avertical longitudinal section through the car, showing the arrangementof the drawers and the living-apartments; and Fig. 3 is a horizontalsection showing the general arrangement of the parts with thedisplay-counters located in the center.

A designates the trucks of the car with the frame or body A mountedthereon, which may be of the usual general construction suitable to thepurposes.

B designates a number of drawers suitably arranged and supported in aframe 19, built in the side of the car. Under these drawers arepackage-spaces b for the storage of packages and samples ready to betaken from the car by the salesman to stores of buyers not convenient tothe stopping-place of the car.

0 designates shelves arranged above the drawers. These shelves are madeopen in front to facilitate handling the goods. The shelves arepreferably closed by glass doors 0 or other suitable closures to keepthe goods free from dust.

On opposite sides of the car (see Fig. 2) is a number of drawers D andliving-apartments d d to be occupied and used by the salesmen or otherattendants. This provision of living-apartments gives security to thesafety of the contents of the car during the time the car may bestanding switched or side-tracked,

as the attendants may always be present to guard the property.

In the center of the car are arranged counters or tables E, on which thegoods may be conveniently displayed. Around the tables or countersproper space is left for getting ready and convenient access to anyportion of the goods-departments.

In the sides of the car opposite to each other are doors F, throughwhich the visitors and attendants obtain access to the car. These doorsare provided with glass to give light to the interior, as shown.

To provide convenient means for getting into and from the car, I providesteps f, which are attached to the car and may be folded up or turnedinside without folding.

G designates the lantern of the roof, through which light is given tothe interior, and having the ventilators g in the side. End doors h hare made in the ends of the car, through which entrance may be had fromthe platforms at the respective ends thereof.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is a A merchandising-car comprising the body, drawersarranged on both sides of the car, packagespaces under the drawers,livingapartments at the ends of the car, shelves above the drawers,vertical openings in the sides of the car between the drawers andshelves, doors to close the openings, and steps hinged to the bottom ofthe openings and adapted to fold up and turn within the car,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

RUFUS A. WILDER. Witnesses:

BAIRD SNYDER, D. H. ALBRIGHT.

